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Sunday, January 31, 2010

This is my daughter who is 2 1/2 years old... if she can dub a fly, you can too!! Check out the step by step photos below, and please do not use any of these images for any reason unless you have my written permission.

Step 1: Use a little wax if you are starting out, it helps keep the dubbing on the thread and it helps you twist it on.

Step 2: Get a pinch of dubbing and twist it on the thread in one direction.

Step 3: Wrap the dubbing on your hook.

Step 4: Admire your creation! Try to start out practicing the dubbing technique before you move on to actual patterns. Use all kinds of dubbing so you get a feel for every type. (don't worry I snip the hooks off)

Her finished fly... completely done all by herself, no help from dad! (yeah I'm bragging a little but that's what dads are supposed to do) Thanks for visiting... you can look for an advanced dubbing instruction post in the future.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Here is a real time saving tip for any of you who tie a lot of hackled dry flies. Can't remember the specific book that I got the idea from, but I'm sure it was from A.K. Best. The basic idea here is to pre-separate hackle feathers by size and color so when it is time to tie flies it is one less step to slow you down.

Step 1: First step is to buy a nice cape of hackle. Expensive capes offer a great range of sizes, usually #10 - 24! If you only need a few sizes and colors you should buy saddle hackle that is packaged in specific sizes, and then you can stop reading as they are separated for you!

Step 2: Get a hackle gage and a piece of paper with some sizes drawn on it. Bend the cape and start cutting. Try to cut low on the feather stem and also from all parts of the cape to get a variety of sizes. You can also skin the whole cape at this step.

Step 3: Measure every single hackle feather and place in appropriate section. Make sure you measure the middle of the feather as there will be a small variance in size at both ends of the feather. This variance increases with cheaper hackle so take your time measuring if you have a low quality cape.

Step 4: Place the measured hackles in a marked package. I use cut envelopes because they are cheap, just the right size, and you can easily write on them.

Step 5: Repeat with all your colors.

Pre-separating your hackle will help you tie multiple flies much faster, and it will ensure your patterns are consistent. Enjoy, and have a great winter tying season!

Monday, January 11, 2010

I really like this trib nymph, and I've had some success this season when other flies are not working. It is essentially a giant PT with a hot spot for the thorax. Not really imitating a specific thing, more like an egg/attractor nymph all rolled into one. It is not the easiest tie, but it is also not the most difficult so I wouldn't be heart broken to loose a few. When I'm fishing the tribs I always start with simple patterns that I'm not afraid to loose, and gradually use the more complex patterns if the fish are picky. Good luck!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Ok last post not directly related to tying flies, and then I'm hitting the vise! I'm blessed to have people notice my work and like it enough to attach it to their work. Thanks again to the people I'm mentioning below, make sure you click the links and check them out.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I haven't posted in a while, as I haven't tied many flies in the last month due to fishing opportunities and holiday traveling. Now that the holidays are over, and the streams are almost frozen solid, I can get back to posting, tying, and catching up on other people's blogs. I had some memorable fishing experiences in 2009, but this particular fall day on my favorite Great Lakes Tributary was one I will never forget. The water levels were perfect, the weather was great, fish were in, and I shared the experience with great friends. November 19, 2009.

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Freelance photographer, writer, film maker, and fly tier living in Northern California.
If you are interested in any of my work feel free to email me at lcarrollphoto@gmail.com.
Please do not use any of my images without my written permission.